Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Helena Christensen (born December 25, 1968) is a Danish fashion model and photographer who was hugely important in creating the idea of "supermodels."

Rohn Meijer's 1994 "Dreamgirls" portrait of Helena Christensen.

Helena also was a huge positive influence on Victoria's Secret, representing it well for many years.

Helena is from Copenhagen, Denmark. She is of Danish and Peruvian ancestry. She won the Miss Denmark crown in 1986, and, after appearing in the 1986 Miss Universe competition, became a fashion model in Paris.

Christensen's many, many magazine covers include:

Vogue,

Elle,

Harper’s Bazaar,

W

She was a signature Angel, appearing extensively in their catalog. Along with fellow models Tyra Banks, Karen Mulder, Daniela Pestova, and Stephanie Seymour, she helped create the idea of supermodels in the late 1980s, and one could say that she was a 'founding' supermodel.

Helena is probably most famous for being the love interest in Chris Isaak's music video for 'Wicked Game,' directed by Herb Ritts, which was shot in Hawaii and features Helena running around in a bikini. The video has become a classic and is considered one of the greatest music videos ever made.

Helena continues modelling, still appearing on fashion magazine covers. One of the many high points of her career was becoming a spokesmodel for Revlon cosmetics in 1992, along with fellow supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford. It turned into Revlon's most successful campaign of all time.

Helena also has her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with friend Leif Sigersen, and a lingerie collection, Helena Christensen for Triumph. She is active in fundraising for breast cancer research and has a son, Mingus Reedus, born in 1999. Living in New York City, where she has run an antiques shop, Helena carefully maintains her ties with Copenhagen while remaining at the cutting edge of the fashion world.